136th Airlift Wing
A Texas Air National Guard airlift wing providing military transport, airdrop, contingency response, and domestic and overseas support missions.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The 136th Airlift Wing is an active unit of the Texas Air National Guard based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, also known as Carswell Field, in Fort Worth, Texas. Its principal federal gaining command is the United States Air Force's Air Mobility Command. As a National Guard organization, the wing can support both state missions in Texas and federal missions assigned by the Department of Defense when activated. The wing's current flying role centers on tactical airlift. Its aircraft and crews are trained to move personnel, equipment, and cargo to locations that may have short, austere, or unprepared runways. The mission also includes day-and-night operations, all-weather flying, airdrop delivery, aeromedical support, and contingency response. The wing is organized around operations, maintenance, mission support, medical, and communications capabilities, with the 181st Airlift Squadron serving as its principal flying unit and the 254th Combat Communications Group providing a geographically associated communications capability. The organization traces its modern lineage to the mobilization of the 136th Fighter Group during the Korean War. Activated for federal service in October 1950, it became the 136th Fighter-Bomber Wing and moved to Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, for training. In 1951 it deployed to Japan and then South Korea, becoming the first Air National Guard wing to enter combat. Its pilots flew F-84 Thunderjets on close-support and interdiction missions, and members of the wing achieved the first combat victories credited to Air National Guard pilots, including the destruction of a North Korean MiG-15. The wing flew more than 15,000 combat sorties during the conflict before returning to the United States in July 1952. After Korea, the wing cycled through several air-defense and air-refueling missions. It operated F-51H Mustangs, F-80 Shooting Stars, F-86D Sabre interceptors, F-102 Delta Daggers, KC-97L Stratotankers, and KC-135A Stratotankers. In 1978 it moved into tactical airlift and received C-130B Hercules aircraft, followed by C-130H aircraft in 1986. This change established the airlift role that defines the wing today. The 136th supported Cold War exercises and overseas rotations, including Team Spirit, Volant Oak, Red Flag, REFORGER, Ember Dawn IV, Brave Shield, and Operation Creek Party. During Operation Just Cause in Panama in 1989 and 1990, deployed wing aircraft and crews flew more than 100 combat airlift sorties without casualties or aircraft damage. The wing also supported Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Southern Watch, and later the post-September 11 operations Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and New Horizons. Since 2001, more than 6,000 wing airmen have deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism and related missions. The wing moved from Naval Air Station Dallas to the former Carswell Air Force Base in 1998 as part of a Base Realignment and Closure action. Its present installation places it alongside Air Force Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, and Army Reserve organizations. The 136th remains a deployable air-mobility formation with a dual state-and-federal mission.
History
The 136th Airlift Wing originated in the Texas Air National Guard's 136th Fighter Group. The Korean War led to its federal mobilization on October 10, 1950. On October 26, the organization was expanded and designated the 136th Fighter-Bomber Wing, with the 136th Fighter-Bomber Group and its supporting administrative, maintenance, and medical elements. It initially trained at Langley Air Force Base with F-51D Mustangs before converting to F-84E Thunderjets in early 1951. The wing deployed to Japan in May 1951 and was assigned to the Far East Air Forces for combat operations over Korea. It became the first Air National Guard wing to enter combat. Its pilots conducted fighter-bomber, close-air-support, and interdiction missions from Japan and later from Taegu Air Base in South Korea. On June 26, 1951, Texas Air National Guard pilots were credited with the first Air National Guard combat victories, including the destruction of a MiG-15. During the war the wing flew 15,515 combat sorties, delivered more than 7,000 tons of bombs, and received five Korean Campaign Ribbons. It returned to the United States and was released from active duty on July 10, 1952. In the postwar period, the wing returned to Texas and moved through successive fighter and air-defense designations. It operated F-51H Mustangs, F-80 Shooting Stars, F-86D Sabre interceptors, and F-102A Delta Daggers. During the late 1950s it participated in the Air Defense Command runway-alert system, keeping armed aircraft ready for rapid launch. The wing also exercised command relationships with Texas and Louisiana Air National Guard fighter groups before a 1961 reorganization separated those interceptor formations from the wing. The wing then transitioned to air refueling. Its 181st squadron operated KC-97L Stratotankers and later KC-135A Stratotankers, supporting tactical fighters, interceptors, and B-52 bombers. From 1966 through 1976, crews rotated to Ramstein Air Base in support of Operation Creek Party, providing air-refueling capacity to United States Air Forces in Europe. On April 1, 1978, the wing transferred from Strategic Air Command to Military Airlift Command and became a tactical airlift wing. It received C-130B Hercules aircraft and took on troop, equipment, cargo, and aeromedical transport missions. It participated in major Cold War exercises and overseas operations, including Team Spirit, Volant Oak, Red Flag, REFORGER, Ember Dawn IV, and Brave Shield. The wing received C-130H aircraft in 1986. During Operation Just Cause, aircraft and personnel deployed to Howard Air Force Base in Panama flew more than 100 combat airlift sorties. The wing also supplied personnel and crews for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and supported Southern Watch and humanitarian airlift missions during the 1990s. In 1998 it relocated from Naval Air Station Dallas to the former Carswell Air Force Base at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth. Since September 11, 2001, the 136th has repeatedly deployed personnel and aircraft in support of Operations Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and New Horizons, as well as other state and federal assignments. Its current organization includes five groups, nineteen units, and one geographically separated unit. The wing's continuing mission is to provide trained military forces for worldwide combat and peacetime tasking while supporting Texas during domestic emergencies.
- 1998
Move to Fort Worth
[1]The wing relocated to Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth following the closure of Naval Air Station Dallas and Hensley Field.
- 1992
Adoption of the 136th Airlift Wing designation
[1]The organization was redesignated the 136th Airlift Wing on March 16.
- 1986
Receipt of C-130H aircraft
[1]The wing received the C-130H Hercules, strengthening its tactical transport and airdrop capability.
- 1978
Transition to tactical airlift
[1]The wing became a tactical airlift organization under Military Airlift Command and began operating C-130 Hercules transports.
- 1961
Transition to air refueling
[1]The wing transferred to Tactical Air Command and was reorganized as the 136th Air Refueling Wing with KC-97L aircraft.
- 1957
Air-defense reorganization
[1]The organization became the 136th Air Defense Wing and its fighter units adopted an around-the-clock runway-alert role.
- 1952
Return from Korean War service
[1]The wing was released from active duty and returned to Texas on July 10.
- 1951
Deployment to the Korean War
[1]The wing deployed to Japan and entered combat over Korea, becoming the first Air National Guard wing to do so.
- 1950
Federal mobilization and wing activation
[1]The Texas Air National Guard formation was mobilized during the Korean War, and the 136th Fighter-Bomber Wing was activated at Langley Air Force Base on October 26.
Products and positioning
A deployable Texas Air National Guard air-mobility organization combining tactical airlift, airdrop, contingency response, communications, and support capabilities for state and federal missions.
Tactical military transport aircraft · 1978
C-130 Hercules
The C-130 Hercules became the wing's principal airlift platform after its 1978 transition from air refueling. The aircraft supports tactical transport of troops, cargo, and equipment, as well as airdrop operations, aeromedical missions, and operations from short or austere airfields. The wing received C-130B aircraft in 1978 and upgraded to C-130H aircraft in 1986.
Aerial refueling aircraft · 1976
KC-135 Stratotanker
The wing operated KC-135A Stratotankers after the retirement of its KC-97 aircraft in the mid-1970s. These aircraft supported the refueling of B-52 bombers, tactical aircraft, and air-defense interceptors before the wing moved into tactical airlift.
Fighter-bomber aircraft · 1951
F-84 Thunderjet
The F-84E and later F-84G Thunderjets were used during the wing's Korean War fighter-bomber mission. They performed close air support and interdiction missions, although their range limited the time available over Korean targets.
All-weather interceptor aircraft · 1957
F-86D Sabre
The F-86D replaced the wing's older F-80 day fighters during its late-1950s air-defense period. The interceptor supported the wing's continuous runway-alert mission and was designed for day-and-night, all-weather operations.
Marketing campaigns
- 2001Global War on Terrorism operations
Middle East · Central Asia · Worldwide
After September 11, 2001, the wing deployed personnel and aircraft in support of Operations Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and New Horizons.
Outcome. The wing's historical account reports more than 6,000 airmen deployed across these and related state and federal missions.
- 1990Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm
Persian Gulf · Europe
Wing aircrews and personnel supported the United States response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and subsequent coalition war operations, including European airlift backfill through Operation Volant Pine.
Outcome. The wing provided personnel and C-130 airlift capacity to United States Central Command and United States Air Forces in Europe.
- 1989Operation Just Cause
Panama
Wing aircraft, crews, and support personnel deployed during Volant Oak and flew combat airlift missions for United States Southern Command.
Outcome. More than 100 combat sorties were flown without reported casualties or aircraft damage.
- 1966Operation Creek Party
Europe
The wing conducted rotational KC-97 air-refueling deployments to Ramstein Air Base in support of United States Air Forces in Europe.
Outcome. Rotations continued through 1976 and provided sustained refueling support before the wing's conversion to KC-135 aircraft.
- 1951Korean War
Korean Peninsula · Japan
The federally activated wing deployed to Japan and South Korea for fighter-bomber combat operations. It flew 15,515 combat sorties and conducted close-support, interdiction, and airfield-attack missions.
Outcome. The wing returned to the United States in July 1952 after receiving five Korean Campaign Ribbons and becoming the first Air National Guard wing to enter combat.
Brand decisions
1978
Conversion to tactical airliftStrategyBackground
The wing's air-refueling role was replaced as force-structure requirements changed.
Action taken
The wing transferred to Military Airlift Command, adopted the tactical airlift designation, and began operating C-130B transports.
Aftermath
Tactical transport, airdrop, cargo movement, and aeromedical support became the core of the wing's subsequent operational identity.
1961
Shift from air defense to air refuelingStrategyBackground
An Air Defense Command reorganization separated several Texas and Louisiana interceptor groups from the wing.
Action taken
The wing and its 181st squadron were realigned to Tactical Air Command and assigned the air-refueling mission with KC-97L Stratotankers.
Aftermath
The wing achieved operational status in approximately eight months and later transitioned to KC-135A aircraft.
1951
Conversion from piston fighters to jet fighter-bombersStrategyBackground
The wing was mobilized for the Korean War while equipped with aging F-51D Mustangs.
Action taken
It converted to F-84E Thunderjets and trained pilots and maintenance personnel for jet combat operations before deploying to the Far East.
Aftermath
The conversion enabled the wing to conduct fighter-bomber operations in Korea and participate in the first Air National Guard combat deployment.
Recent events
- 2001
Post-September 11 deployment operations[1]
Other
The wing has conducted repeated deployments supporting Operations Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and New Horizons, with more than 6,000 airmen deployed in the broader period described by the unit's historical account.
- 1998
Wing relocates to Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth[1]
Other
Following the BRAC-directed closure of Naval Air Station Dallas and Hensley Field, the wing moved to the former Carswell Air Force Base, now Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth and Carswell Field.
- 1991
136th Airlift Wing supports Desert Shield and Desert Storm[1]
Other
By late January 1991, wing personnel and 181st Airlift Squadron crews were supporting United States Central Command and United States Air Forces in Europe, including through Operation Volant Pine airlift backfill missions.
- 1989
136th Airlift Wing supports Operation Just Cause in Panama[1]
Other
Aircraft, aircrews, and support personnel deployed for the Volant Oak exercise conducted combat airlift missions for United States Southern Command during the intervention in Panama. More than 100 combat sorties were flown without reported casualties or aircraft damage.
Sources2 sources
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